This is the new revised version of Karen Always Said. This is not one of those revisions that makes only a couple of changes NO! The whole thing is completely different. I mean MAJOR changes. but it's disclaimer time, so...

I do not own Phantasy Star Universe or any of it's characters.

If it were only some other place, some other time, maybe the events that transpired in the Relics could have been avoided. Ethan knew what she said to him was for the better, but he couldn't help being upset. He knew very well those words could effect their effectiveness in combat, and more importantly, their friendship, but his love for Karen was too great to be held swelling within him. He let out a sigh and sprawled out on the bed. How could she not see she was everything to him? Tears blurred his vision as he lost himself in anguish. In his mind he was dancing with her, but his dreams were rudely interrupted by the blaring ringer on his vision phone. He empty-mindedly stumbled across the room and pressed the answer icon on the screen. A boy his age with a purple shirt and silver hair appeared before Ethan. "Hyuga."

"Hey, Ethan. About the relics.."

"I know what happened."

"As you should." He said. "That was pretty heavy stuff back there."

"It was a mistake. It was not my place to say those things."

"You can't blame her for responding the way she did, Ethan. She didn't know what to do; it was too abrupt. Just give her some time to think it over, and maybe she will change her mind."

"I wish I meant something to her."

"You mean a lot to her, Ethan. She speaks very highly of you."

"You could have fooled me."

"Whatever. I called to tell you we're going back to the Relics tomorrow. We meet at the Perum flyer base six o'clock. Be there ready. Later, Ethan. Karen does care about you, a lot. Remember that."

"Later Hyuga." With that he ended the transmission on his vision phone. He looked at the clock. "Nine –thirty…" He mumbled to himself. He picked up the picture of Karen he kept with him. They have been on only two missions together, but he already wanted to spend the rest of his life with this girl. Instructor or not he loved her. No one stood out to him anymore but her. Karen Erra could not have been more perfect for him. He replayed the day's events in his head again.

The doors slid open and Ethan, Karen and Hyuga rushed through. "Clear!' they all yelled as Karen motioned the professor to come through. He raised his handgun and cautiously rushed in after the guardians.

"Ethan, take point." Karen ordered.

"Okay." Ethan replied, advancing to the front of the squad. They kept moving until the reached an open area on the path. He raised his hand, instructing his team to stop. Staying low, he walked into the opening. He darted his watchful eye from here to there, being sure to leave an accurate assessment of the situation. A subtle noise got his attention, but he quickly regained focus. A sudden explosion sent him flying backwards. He rolled out of the fall and raised his rifle, searching anxiously for movement. Two more explosions violently shook the ground. He followed the trail they left behind them to reveal the location of the source. He couldn't tell exactly what it was, but he shot off a burst of rounds at the creature. It leapt from it's cover onto the platform where Ethan stood. Damn… he thought. Bil De Vier. He kept a cool head, just as Karen taught him. He saw more figures maneuvering through the complicated architecture. More of them… Two? No.. he argued with himself. They too jumped in to vision. Just one! His head screamed. "Engage!" He commanded. Karen burst out from her cover.

"Professor! Stay back!" Hyuga ordered, following Karen into battle. They both drew their weapons and attacked the beasts. Ethan quickly replaced his rifle with his saber and joined them. His blade clashed against the Bil De Vier's thick skin. It threw a punch at Ethan but he leaped away, firing his ice infused handgun at the creature's face. Ice crystals formed around its eye and jaw, and it bellowed in pain. Ethan took this chance to climb up it's back and drive his blade into it's shoulder. It roared once more and desperately tried to swat him of as he repeatedly stabbed the beast. Eventually it succeeded and threw Ethan off of it. It clutched its shoulder in pain. When Ethan landed, his saber slipped from his fingers. The monster shrugged off the injury on it's shoulder and rushed over to Ethan, furiously pounding the ground. He crawled away in panic towards his sword. The creature realized his tactics and slammed it's fist in the path to Ethan's blade. In a flash of courage he rolled between the beast's legs, drawing a shotgun. Once standing, he unloaded all of its shells into it's back. The creature uttered a deafening roar as it fell dead to the ground. Without hesitation Ethan sprinted to Karen and Hyuga to aid them in their fight.

"Ethan! Hyuga! Offensive position delta!" Karen commanded. The two rushed the monster, drawing heavy swords. They used all of their momentum in a single slash at the creature's legs. It toppled over as Karen ran backwards to intercept it's fall. Just before it hit the ground she jumped onto it's neck and jammed her knife into it's eye. It screamed with agony and viciously punched Karen, sending her flying.

"Karen!" Ethan cried horror horror, running to her. He fell to his knees and slid the rest of the way. "Karen! Karen!" She was unconscious. "Wake up! Please, wake up, Karen!" he bowed his head over her and screamed. She couldn't be dead, not now! "Oh god, no! No!" Karen squinted open her eyes to see Ethan, the Ethan she knew to be strong and confident, letting his tears freely flowing over her.

"Ethan? What's wrong?"

"Karen?" Ethan lifted his head in disbelief. She sat up and gave him a concerned look. Ethan tried to regain his composure but could not hide his relief. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "I thought you were dead." He sobbed, tightening his grip. "Karen…" he started. "Karen I… I love you…"

"Ethan…" She sighed. "Im sorry, but…"

That was all Ethan could bare to remember. He put the picture away, and curled into sleep.

See? DIFFERENT. I plan to make some more changes, and don't worry, Karen will come through eventually. I don't think that counts as a spoiler because you all knew she would anyway. Review the new installment and there will be more to come soon!